Home Inspection Checklist

Things That Are Not Covered In a Home Inspection

Home building inspections in Philadelphia, PA, are a critical component of any home sale, but they aren’t without their limitations. Home inspections typically take about 2-3 hours, which is not enough time to examine everything. Inspectors focus on mechanical defects, structural problems, and health and safety issues. If you are a home buyer, it’s important to know what things the inspection doesn’t cover so you won’t miss any essential detail about your new home.

Sewer Line

Home inspectors inspect and test interior plumbing fixtures and lines, but they do not inspect the sewer line, the pipe that connects the home to the city sewer line. Cracks, roots, clogs, and other issues can cause serious issues with this line, which, if damaged, can cause significant problems. You can schedule a separate inspection from a plumbing company to check things out. Since repairs to this line are often costly, the extra money is well worth the effort.

Finishes

Home inspectors are not required to inspect cosmetic finishes, but these details are important to the home’s overall quality. That said, if an inspector notices a problem with peeling paint, wallpaper, cracked tiles, or other items, they will look for underlying causes such as water damage. In addition, home inspectors won’t check for lead-based paint. If the home was built before 1978 and you’re concerned about this issue, you’ll need to have this specially tested.

Mold

The most your home inspector will do is indicate on the report, “potentially mold.” A certified mold inspector will need to be called in to evaluate the issue further.

Pests

Again, the inspector may note the potential presence of plants, insects, or animals that might be harmful or hazardous, but you’ll need more information before making any decisions. And the fact that the final inspection report doesn’t list any pest problems does not mean they don’t exist. An exterminator’s report is the only way to know for certain.

Inner Electrical Workings

Inspectors do a lot of work during a residential electrical inspection in Philadelphia, PA, but they stop short of opening up the walls to take a look.

Septic System

Your home inspector will run all the faucets, test all the drains, and flush all the toilets, listening and watching for signs of problems. However, if the home has a septic system, that will need its own inspection. The inspector will note the tank’s location and size and the date of the last pump, but that’s the limit.

Stuff That’s Not in Plain View

If the inspector can’t easily view it with the naked eye, it won’t be addressed in the inspection. Chimneys, insulation, and foundations are essential but are not included in a typical pre-sale inspection. The roof is also worth considering. Eagle inspections’ professionals, while not required, will attempt to access roofs to check for missing tiles, leaks etc. However, occurrences such as bad weather conditions can prevent inspectors from climbing up to the roof.

The Bottom Line

The home inspection is a crucial step in every home sale. Knowing the basics of what will and will not be covered in the inspection protects both buyers and sellers. Call the team at Eagle Inspections today to discuss how a home inspection can help you. We use the latest technology to provide the best, most thorough inspections possible. Knowing that the most experienced inspectors have inspected your home will give you peace of mind.